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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

THE YANKEES HAVE WAY TOO MANY GOOD PLAYERS

Source: Newsday

As the headline suggests, the Yankees have incredible depth this season. They have grit. They have confidence. And they have way too many good players. This means that they can't keep them all and not everyone can play consistently. So if you are looking to find an Achilles heel in this year's team, it's that they are too good.

Source: USA Today

According to SNY.com, "On Sunday, the team optioned outfielder Clint Frazier to Triple-A Scranton. Frazier's status as a top prospect is debatable, but he is ready to at least serve as a fourth outfielder or more on many big league teams. And later this week, if first baseman Greg Bird makes his expected return from the disabled list, the Yanks will have to option Tyler Austin."

Source: NJ.com

It has been my stance that Austin has earned his keep and that it is Greg Bird who has to earn his way back on the team. Some of our fellow bloggers think that Bird should be traded before he gets hurt again. "Bird was injured for the entire 2016 season and most of 2017, so why are the Yankees so in love with him," reports Ben Green of Yanks Go Yard. He may be on to something. With the Yankees in a current state of "roster crunch" as Green calls it, could we at least consider keeping Austin and giving Bird some alternate days? Platoon the guys and let the best man win.

Source: USA Today

As SNY suggests, "Where this could all get interesting is if everyday players don't perform. With roster spots at a nearly unprecedented premium, what happens if Bird slumps upon his return? What if Didi Gregorius continues to struggle? Or if (Miguel) Andujar can't push his on-base percentage to .300? Or if Frazier dominates the International League and Aaron Hicks or Brett Gardner struggles?"

Source: USA Today

Or as the the Yankees continue to improve, which is likely as the team matures together, could they shop some players for some much needed starting pitching? We have had our woes with starters and as much as I am rooting for guys like Domingo German, he may not be the answer.

Source: Rodger Mallison | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | TNS

So we have too many good players but not enough of the right players, namely pitchers. Something has to give as the Yankees finish up their final full week of May and enter into the weekend and then the beginnings of the third month of the season in June. Let's hope we use our Achilles heel to our advantage and figure out how to move the right players out and bring in some starting pitching that helps us get to our ultimate goal: The World Series. Happy Hump Day.